Shoe-clasp



(No ModeL) J. G. HAMMOND, Jr., & T. E. KING.

SHOE CLASP.

No. 314,669. Patented Mar. 31, 1885.

N. Patna PhoIo-Li'hognplmr. Washinglon. n'. c.

llNirED States Patent FFICE.

JOSEPH C. HAMMOND, JR, OF ROCKVILLE, AND THEODORE E. KING, OF VVESTPORT, CONNECTICUT.

SHOE-CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 31%,669, dated March 31, 1885.

' Application filed February 7, 1885. (N0 model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, JOsEPH C. HAMMOND, Jr., of Rockville, in the county of Tolland and State of Connecticut, and THEODORE E. KING, of WVestport, in the county of Fairfield, and said State, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Clasps, of which the following is a description, reference being had to theacco'mpanying drawings, where Figure 1 is aplan or top view of the tongue of our improved clasp with a sleeve. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same. Fig. 3 is a rear view of the same. our improved clasp. Fig. 5 is a view in cross-seetion of the catch-plate on plane denoted byline 00 a: of Fig. 4, showing the tongue in end View.

The object of our present improvement is to simplify and cheapen the construction of the class of clasps particularly adapted for use on overshoes without impairing the utility, strength, or durability of the clasp; and our improvement consists in the combination of a laterally-elastic tongue used without a tongueplate, and a catch-plate having one or more openings less in length than the tongue is in width.

We are aware that a laterally-elastic tongue combined with and operated by a tongueplate is not new; but in the old devices the lateral compression of the tongue is effected by and depends upon the tongue-plate, whereas in our device this latter part is omitted.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter a denotes the tongue of our improved clasp, which tongue is preferably made of wire, bent to the general shape of a hook, the sides of the tongue being re-entrant at the parts a which lie between the sides of the oatchplate b when the tongue is engaged in a hole in the plate. The parts just above or in front of the hollows in the tongue form earns a in its bend, and the tongue is greater in width at this part than the holes b in the tongueplate are in length. The inner ends of the wire at the back of the tongue are bent toward each other, and preferably meet, as this construction gives a better spring action to the sides of the tongue, and these ends may be soldered or brazed together, so as to make the wire practically continuous in the structure. Thecatch-plate bis provided with any Fig. 4 is a plan View of number of holes I), and is attached to one side of the shoe or like article, the tongue be ing secured to the strap on the other side by looping the latter around the cross-wire at the back of the tongue. As this method may be objectionable, on account of the wear, a sleeve, 0, of metal, is preferably used as a socket-piece to first inclose the base or pivotbar, a of the tongue, and the cloth-strap is then folded over the sleeve so that the latter will take the wear. The tongue and catchplate being secured to the respective parts of the article to. be clasped together, the tongue is thrust through one of the holes in the plate and then folded down upon the latter, turning upon its pivot-bar. In doing this the tongue is compressed laterally as the cams pass through the plate, then expands. so that they overhang the sides of the plate and prevent the accidental unclasping of the device.

In our device only two partsthe catchplate and the tongue-are essential to its successful operation, and the most expensive fea ture of the prior clasps is completely dispensed withthat is, the tongueplate and labor of putting the tongue-plate and tongue together.

WVe claim as our improvement- 1. In a clasp, in combination, a laterally elastic tongue with cam sides, and a catchplate having one or more openings less in length than the tongue is in width at the part where the cams are formed, all substantially as described.

2. In combination, a catch-plate having one Or more openings, and a hook-shaped tongue that is laterally elastic, and has lateral cams that overhang the sides of the catchplate when the parts are engaged, and whereby these two partsthe catchplate and the tongue-form a. complete locking springclasp, all substantially as described.

JOSEPH C. HAMMOND, JR. THEODORE E. KING.

WVitnesses to the signature of Joseph C. Hammond, Jr.

EUsrAoE C. CHAPMAN, CLAYTON E. HARwoOD. Vitnesses to the signature of Theodore E. King:

CARRIE E. NAsn, GRAcE M. KING. 

